Balapur Zamindar Bari

Balapur Zamindar Bari is an excellent day trip destination near the capital Dhaka. The traditional Balapur Zamindar house is located in Balapur village of Paikarchar Union in Narsingdi Sadar. Zamindar Navin Chandra Saha built the beautifully crafted Zamindar House on the banks of the Meghna River on about 320 bighas of land. The luxurious Balapur zamindar house had 103 well-decorated rooms with mosaics, door and window designs. The main building has three storeys to the east, one storey to the north, a second storey to the south and a second storey building with a grand entrance to the west. Fascinating craftsmanship can be seen in every building.

To the west of the Balapur zamindar's house is a pond and sun-bridged ghat, to the north is an elaborate Durga Puja mandap. The traditional Balapur Navin Chandra High School was established in 1913 next to the Zamindar's house. One can spend an afternoon at Balapur Zamindar's house to get acquainted with the elaborate architectural style, ancient history and traditions.

Important Archeological Monuments Apart from the Balapur Zamindar House, there are several places to visit around. If you want, you can walk along the banks of the Meghna river or you can visit the house of Girish Chandra Sen, the Bengali translator of the Holy Qur'an, the historic Parulia Mosque or the traditional Lakshan Sahar Zamindar's house in Panchdona.

From in front of Sergeant Ahad Police Box in Gulistan, Dhaka, Meghalaya bus will take a fare of Tk 90 to Madhavadi in Narsingdi. If you take a local bus, it will cost 30 to 40 taka to go to Madhavadi. Get down from Madhavadi bus stand and hire a rickshaw to go to Madhavadi Garurhat CNG station. CNG to Balapur is available from Garurhat CNG station, the fare is Tk 20 to Tk 30 per person. The CNG stopped in front of Balapur Navin Chandra High School near Zamindar's house. Or you can hire a rickshaw directly from Madhavadi bus stand and come to the landlord's house.

Being very close to Dhaka, one can visit Balapur Zamindar's house and come back in the same day, so there is no need to spend the night here. However, if you have special needs, you can stay overnight in Madhvadi.

Madhavadi has some decent food hotels. You will get rice, chicken, beef, vegetables, various fish, pulses and biryani at a low price in these food hotels.